Assembly and insert for evenly heating a smokable substance

ABSTRACT

Assemblies and inserts are provided for evenly heating a smokable substance. A hookah bowl insert is provided for heating a smokable substance. The insert has a central core having at least one passageway extending therethrough. The insert further has a plurality of radial extensions extending in a radial direction from the central core. The radial extensions may be for gripping the smokable substance therebetween, and each radial extension has a vertical extension extending in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction. The insert is formed from a heat conductive material, such that heat is distributed across the insert, and within the individual radial and vertical extensions. Each vertical extension has a thickness larger than a thickness of the insert at the central core. As such, the vertical extensions can maintain stable temperatures and transfer heat to and from the smokable substance located therebetween.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of US Design patentapplication Ser. No. 29/799,598, filed Jul. 15, 2021, the entirecontents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to assemblies and devices for preparingand retaining a smokable substance, such as tobacco, certain gels andliquids, or other organic and inorganic matter, for smoking using awater pipe, such as a hookah. The invention relates specifically to suchassemblies and devices for evenly heating the smokable substance.

BACKGROUND

Traditional hookahs include a liquid container, a smoke source, and ahollow pipe extending from the smoke source into the liquid containerand acting as a smoke conduit and a smoke outlet through which smoke canbe drawn by a user during smoking. During use, the liquid container isat least partially filled with liquid, such as water, and the hollowpipe, or an extension of the pipe, extends into the liquid containerbelow the liquid level, such that smoke drawn from the smoke source isdeposited within the liquid.

The smoke source is typically a bowl containing tobacco, or some othersmokable substance, located above or at a top of the hollow pipecombined with a heat generating element resting above the bowl. Such aheat generating element may be a plate containing charcoal or a moresophisticated mechanism for controlling the burning of charcoal orotherwise generating heat. Smoke from the heated smokable substance inthe bowl is then provided to the liquid container by way of the hollowpipe, sometimes referred to as a downstem.

The smoke outlet, through which the user draws the smoke, is locatedabove the liquid level, or otherwise outside of the liquid contained inthe liquid container, such that smoke can be drawn through the smokeoutlet only after it emerges from the liquid in the liquid container.

During use, it is difficult to evenly heat the smokable substancecontained in the bowl. This is partially because the heat is oftengenerated by burning charcoal, which is inherently uneven, and it ispartially because the smokable substance is often packed into the bowltightly. Further, the bowl itself may be formed or partially formed frommaterials that do not conduct heat. Accordingly, the heat as generatedmay be uneven, and the smokable substance within the bowl may be heatedunevenly. As such, parts of the smokable substance may be overheated andcharred while other parts of the smokable substance may not be heatedsufficiently.

There is a need for a system or device for ensuring that a smokablesubstance is heated evenly when heated in a hookah.

SUMMARY

Assemblies and inserts are provided for evenly heating a smokable substance.

In one embodiment, a hookah bowl insert is provided for heating asmokable substance. The insert may have a central core having at leastone passageway extending therethrough.

The insert may further have a plurality of radial extensions extendingin a radial direction from the central core. The radial extensions maybe for gripping the smokable substance therebetween, and each radialextension may further have a vertical extension extending in a directionperpendicular to the radial direction.

The insert is formed from a heat conductive material, such that heat isdistributed across the insert, and within the individual radial andvertical extensions. Generally, each vertical extension has a thicknesslarger than a thickness of the insert at the central core. As such, thevertical extensions can maintain stable temperatures and transfer heatto and from the smokable substance located therebetween.

In some embodiments, the central core is substantially planar, and theradial extensions are sloped relative to a first plane of the centralcore. The radial extensions then extend to a second plane different fromthe first plane, and when in use, the radial extensions are then belowthe central core. The vertical extensions then extend from the secondplane to the first plane.

In some such embodiments, a top of the vertical extensions extends abovethe first plane, such that a heat source having a planar lower surfacerested on top of the vertical extensions would be suspended above thecentral core and would not contact the central core.

In some such embodiments, a connection segment of the insertcircumferentially surrounds the planar segment of the central core andslopes for the first plane to the second plane. In some suchembodiments, at least one fixation element is provided for fixing theconnection segment to an interior surface of a hookah bowl. The fixationelement may be, for example, a plurality of protrusions for bracing theinsert against a protruding pipe opening of the hookah bowl.

The central core may be configured to be located above a pipe opening ina hookah bowl, such that the at least one passageway extendingtherethrough is aligned with the pipe opening.

The vertical extensions may each have a horizontal section with abunging profile, such that the profile of each vertical extension bulgestowards an adjacent vertical extension of an adjacent radial extension,such the smokable substance, when inserted, is gripped between thevertical extension bulges of adjacent vertical extensions.

In some embodiments, the insert may be formed from a single piece.

A hookah bowl assembly is provided for evenly heating a smokablesubstance. The hookah bowl assembly comprises a bowl head, the bowl headhaving an interior space defined by an inner surface, a hollow centralpipe, and a stalk below the central pipe. The stalk encloses anextension of the central pipe for transmitting smoke from the interiorspace.

A bowl insert is then provided similar to that discussed above.

In some embodiments, the hollow central pipe protrudes into the interiorspace of the bowl head, and the protrusions of the insert then brace theinsert against the protruding hollow pipe.

When assembled, the central core is configured to be located above thehollow central pipe when inserted into the bowl head. As such, the atleast one passageway extending through the central core is aligned withthe hollow central pipe.

In some embodiments, the insert is permanently fixed to the innersurface of the bowl head.

Also provided is an additional hookah bowl assembly for evenly heating asmokable substance. The hookah bowl assembly comprises a bowl headhaving an interior space defined by an inner surface, a hollow centralpipe, and a stalk below the central pipe, the stalk enclosing anextension of the central pipe for transmitting smoke from the interiorspace.

The bowl head further comprises a plurality of vertical extensionsextending from the inner surface, the vertical extensions arrangedradially about the hollow central pipe, wherein each vertical extensionis formed from a heat conductive material.

The vertical extensions of the hookah bowl assembly may each be providedwith a horizontal section with a bulging profile, such that the profileof each vertical extension bulges towards an adjacent vertical extensionsuch that the smokable substance, when inserted, is gripped between thevertical extension bulges of adjacent vertical extensions.

In some embodiments, the hollow central pipe protrudes into the interiorspace of the bowl head, and a top of the hollow central pipe defines afirst plane, and a top of at least a subset of the plurality of thevertical extensions extends above the first plane. As such, a heatsource having a substantially planar lower surface rested on top of thevertical extensions would be suspended above the hollow central pipe andwould not contact the hollow central pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an example embodiment of a water pipe in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows a schematic view of an example embodiment of a water pipein accordance with the present invention

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a bowl in accordance with thisdisclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the bowl of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of the bowl of FIG. 2 with an addedinsert in accordance with this disclosure.

FIG. 4B shows a top view of the bowl of FIG. 2 with the added insert ofFIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an insert in accordance with thisdisclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the insert of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the insert of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the insert of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 9 shows a sectioned view of the insert of FIG. 5 , taken along line9-9 of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 10 shows a sectioned view of the bowl of FIG. 2 with the insert ofFIG. 5 taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 11 shows the bowl of FIG. 2 with the added insert of FIG. 4A inuse.

FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 show a second embodiment of a bowl in accordancewith this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles ofthe present invention is intended to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entirewritten description. In the description of embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merelyintended for convenience of description and is not intended in any wayto limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as“lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,”“down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g.,“horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed torefer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawingunder discussion. These relative terms are for convenience ofdescription only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed oroperated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated assuch. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,”“interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structuresare secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectlythrough intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigidattachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated byreference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the inventionexpressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodimentsillustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that mayexist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of theinvention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

This disclosure describes the best mode or modes of practicing theinvention as presently contemplated. This description is not intended tobe understood in a limiting sense, but provides an example of theinvention presented solely for illustrative purposes by reference to theaccompanying drawings to advise one of ordinary skill in the art of theadvantages and construction of the invention. In the various views ofthe drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example embodiment of a water pipe 10 inaccordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, the waterpipe generally comprises: a base 100, a stem 200, a bowl 300, and a hose400.

FIG. 1B shows a schematic view of an example embodiment of a water pipein accordance with the present invention. In general, the base 100comprises a concave vessel having an open top portion for containingwater or other liquid 102 therein. The stem 200 extends into the basesuch that a distal end of the stem is partially submerged within theliquid 102 contained therein. The stem 200 also couples to the open topportion of the base so as to form a substantially airtight sealtherewith. Accordingly, a first base grommet 104 may be provided tocouple the stem 200 and the base 100 so as to form the substantiallyairtight seal. In this manner, a chamber is formed by the base 100 andstem 200/grommet 104 assembly.

The hose 400 extends into the base 100 such that a proximal portion ofthe hose 400 is in fluid communication with the chamber 106, thoughpreferably not within the contained liquid 102 (e.g. air can passbetween chamber 106 and hose 400). Preferably, a substantially airtightseal is formed from the coupling of the hose 400 and base 100.Accordingly, a second hose grommet 108 may be provided to couple thehose 400 and the base 100 so as to form the substantially airtight seal.In some embodiments, a hose valve (not shown) may be intermediate thehose 400 and the base 100, the hose valve extending into the chamber 106at one end and exterior to the chamber 106, coupling with the hose 400,at the other.

Bowl 300 couples to a proximal end of stem 200 such that a substantiallyairtight seal is formed therebetween. Accordingly, a third bowl grommet110 may be provided to couple bowl 300 and stem 200 so as to form thesubstantially airtight seal. In operation, organic matter to be smoked308 may be contained within bowl 300, and bowl 300 may be covered with acover 112, such as punctured foil, or a ventilated cover. Coals 114 orother combustible heating material can be placed on or in cover 112 toheat the tobacco 308. Further, while coals are shown resting on a foilcover, more sophisticated heating devices are contemplated as well.Accordingly, coals may be located inside such a heating device, suchthat air flow to and from the coals may be controlled. Alternatively,the coals may be replaced with an alternative form of heating, such asan electric, gas based, or other heating system.

Generally, bowl 300, stem 200 and hose 400 each comprise a hollow tubesuch that when base 100, bowl 300, stem 200 and hose 400 are coupled, anairflow path is formed. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, a user inhaling atthe distal end of hose 400 may thus draw heated air into bowl 300,causing the organic material 308 therein to burn, releasing smoke thatis subsequently drawn through bowl 300, through stem 200, and intoliquid 102 contained within chamber 106 of base 100. The smoke thenrises through liquid 102 into the preferably sealed area above liquid102 in the chamber 106, becoming filtered in the process, and inhaledthrough hose 400 as it is smoked by the user.

It will be understood that the examples of 1A and 1B are typical hookahstructures, but a wide variety of distinct shapes are possible as well.As such, the base 100 may take many different shapes, and in someexamples, the bowl 300 may be connected directly to the base 100 inorder to form a more compact hookah. It is further noted that whilesmoke is discussed, smoking activities may include generation ofalternative inhalable substances, such as vapor during “vaping.” Thestructures described herein will be understood to apply equally in thecontext of vaping, for example.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a bowl 300 in accordance with thisdisclosure. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the bowl 300 of FIG. 2 .

As shown, bowl 300 generally comprises a substantially hemisphericalbowl head 2000 extending vertically and radially from a substantiallycylindrical bowl stalk 2010. As shown, bowl stalk 2010 may be flaredoutward at its bottom end to facilitate easier manipulation and couplingwith a stem, as previously described. Bowl 300 preferably furthercomprises an interior space 2020 defined by an inner surface 2030.Further, as shown, located central to the bowl head 2000, and forming aportion of the inner surface 2030 of the bowl 300, may be a hollowcentral pipe 2040 extending a complete height of the bowl 300 from thebowl head 2000 through the bowl stalk 2010. Hollow central pipe 2040,and other structures herein described, are additionally shown in FIG. 10, which is a cross-sectional illustration of the exemplary bowl 300.

The hollow central pipe 2040, extending through and enclosed within thebowl stalk 2010, then transmits smoke from the interior space 2020 tothe stem 200 after which the smoke can be drawn into the base 100.Further, as shown, in some embodiments, the hollow central pipe 2040 mayprotrude into the interior space 2020 of the bowl head 2000. As such, aprotrusion 2050 may rise above a lowest point of the inner surface 2030,and a circumferential channel 2060 may be defined around the protrusion2050. Smokable substance may then be located within the circumferentialchannel 2060 such that the smokable substance is arranged around thehollow central pipe 2040.

In this way, the circumferential channel 2060 retains smokablesubstance, which is heated from above by the charcoal 114, in theexample of FIG. 1B. When a user inhales smoke through the hose 400,heated air is drawn into the bowl 300, as discussed above, and heats thesmokable substance. Smoke from the smokable substance is then drawn fromthe bowl into the hollow central pipe 2040.

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of the bowl 300 of FIG. 2 with an addedinsert 4000 in accordance with this disclosure. FIG. 4B shows a top viewof the bowl 300 of FIG. 2 with the added insert 4000 of FIG. 4A. FIG. 5shows a perspective view of the insert 4000 in accordance with thisdisclosure. FIG. 6 shows a top view of the insert 4000, FIG. 7 shows aside view of the insert, and FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the insert.FIG. 9 shows a sectioned view of the insert 4000 of FIG. 5 , taken alongline 9-9 of FIG. 6 . FIG. 10 shows a sectioned view of the bowl 300 ofFIG. 2 with the insert 4000 of FIG. 5 taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 4B.

The hookah bowl insert 4000 shown is for evenly heating a smokablesubstance. The insert 4000 shown is generally placed into a hookah bowl300 such as that discussed above, and the smokable substance is placedonto or fixed to elements of the insert, as discussed in more detailbelow. Accordingly, instead of locating the smokable substance in thecircumferential channel 2060 of the bowl head 2000, the smokablesubstance is applied to the insert 4000 which is then placed in the bowlhead 2000.

The insert 4000 has a central core 4010, which has at least onepassageway 4020 extending through the central core. The central core4010 is generally configured to be located above a pipe opening of thehollow central pipe 2030 of the bowl 300. As such, the at least onepassageway 4020 is located above the pipe opening and is aligned withthe hollow central pipe 2030. As such, any smoke drawn into the hollowcentral pipe 2030 is drawn from above the insert 4000 through the atleast one passageway 4020.

As shown, the at least one passageway 4020 may be multiple passagewaysor openings forming a latticework. Such a latticework may be patternedto present, for example, a logo design, or any other aesthetic design.Generally, the passageway 4020 or combined area of the multiplepassageways, is large relative to the area of the central core 4010located above the hollow central pipe 2030 so as to avoid obstructingthe flow of smoke from the interior space 2030 of the bowl head 2010into the hollow central pipe during use, while still preventing tobaccoor other loose matter from falling into the hollow central pipe 2030.

The insert 4000 further includes a plurality of radial extensions 4040extending in a radial direction from the central core 4010 for grippingthe smokable substance. As shown, each radial extension 4040 typicallyfurther has a vertical extension 4050 extending in a directionperpendicular to the radial direction. The smokable substance may thenbe gripped in between the vertical extensions 4050 of adjacent radialextensions 4040. Accordingly, when using the insert 4000, the smokablesubstance is placed between the vertical extensions 4050 instead ofbeing placed on the inner surface 2030 within the circumferentialchannel 2060 of the bowl 300.

It is noted that the radial extensions 4040 need not extend preciselyradially from the central core 4010. As shown, the radial extensions4040 may form a spiral or the like when extending from the central core4010, and may therefore bend towards adjacent extensions. Similarly, asdiscussed below, the radial extensions 4040 may slope away from thecentral core 4010, and may therefore be located in a plane distinct fromthat of the central core, or take any other shape with variations inwidth and height.

The insert 4000 is typically formed from a heat conductive material,such that when heated air is drawn into the interior space 2020 of thebowl, the insert 4000 is heated relatively evenly. Similarly, in someembodiments, the insert 4000 is formed from a single piece of material,such that heat conducts throughout the insert efficiently. Accordingly,the insert 4000 may be formed from a single piece or multiple pieces ofmetal, ceramic, stone, or any combination thereof.

Generally, the vertical extensions 4050 each have a thickness 4060thicker than the other components of the insert 4000, such as thecentral core 4010. Accordingly, the central core 4010 may besubstantially planar, with a thickness 4070 smaller than the thickness4060 of the vertical extensions 4050. This allows the extensions toretain heat during use, such that the heating of the smokable substanceitself is even regardless of fluctuations in the temperature of airdrawn into the bowl 300 from the heat source.

In some embodiments, the central core 4010 rests on top of or on theprotrusion 2050 of the hollow central pipe 2040 into the bowl. Theradial extensions 4040 may then be configured to locate the smokablesubstance within the circumferential channel 2060 below the level of theprotrusion 2050. As such, the substantially planar central core 4010 maybe located in a first plane 4080 during use. The radial extensions 4040may then be at least partially sloped relative to the first plane 4080such that they extend to a second plane 4090 different than the firstplane.

In some embodiments, the radial extensions 4040 may each be providedwith, or may be fixed to, a sloped segment 4100 of the insert 4000. Theradial extensions 4040 may then comprise a substantially planar segment4110 in the second plane 4090 parallel to the first plane 4080. As such,the substantially planar segment 4110 may retain the smokable substancewithin the circumferential channel 2060. As shown, the substantiallyplanar segment 4110 of the radial extensions 4040 may define theentirety of those extensions. However, in some embodiments, the radialextension may further comprise part of or the entirety of the slopedsegment 4100.

As shown, where the radial extensions 4040 slope away from the centralcore 4010, the vertical extensions 4050 may then extend from the secondplane 4090 to the first plane 4080. Further, in some embodiments, aplane defined by a top 4120 of at least some of the vertical extensions4050 may rise above the first plane 4080. As such, if a heat sourcehaving a planar lower surface is rested on top of the verticalextensions 4050, it would be suspended above the central core 4010 andwould not contact the central core.

In some embodiments, the sloped segment 4100 of the insert 4000 maydefine a connection segment of the central core 4010 andcircumferentially surround a central planar segment 4130 of the centralcore 4010 and may then slope from the first plane 4080 to or towards thesecond plane 4090. As shown, the radial extensions 4040 may then extendfrom the sloped connection segment 4100 rather than the planar segment4130 of the central core 4010. As noted above, in other embodiments, thesloped segment 4100 may be defined into discrete extensions and maythereby form portions of the radial extensions 4040 rather than aportion of the central core 4010.

As shown, in some embodiments, each of the vertical extensions 4050 ofthe insert 4000 has a horizontal section with a bulging profile, suchthat the profile of each vertical extension bulges towards an adjacentvertical extension. The thickness 4060 of the vertical extensions 4050may then be measured at the bulge of the corresponding profile, and thesmokable substance, when inserted, is then gripped between the verticalextension bulges at adjacent vertical extensions.

In some embodiments, the insert 4000 further has at least one fixationelement 4150, which may be used to fix the insert to the interiorsurface 2030 of the bowl 300. The fixation element may simply be aprotrusion, as shown, for bracing the insert 4000 against the protrusion2050 of the hollow central pipe 2040 of the bowl 300.

FIG. 11 shows the bowl 300 of FIG. 2 with the added insert 4000 of FIG.4A in use. As shown, the insert is packed with a smokable substance,such as tobacco 11000. The tobacco encloses the vertical extensions4050, and the vertical extensions can then distribute heat evenlythroughout the packed tobacco 11000.

It will be understood that the insert 4000 shown is one of manydifferent embodiments contemplated. Alternative embodiments may includefeatures of the insert fused into the bowl itself without having anindependent insert. Accordingly, the insert may be permanently installedon, or embedded into, the bowl head 2000. Alternatively, in someembodiments, the central hub 4010 may be replaced with a simple hubretaining spokes, with each spoke functioning as a radial extension.

FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 show a second embodiment of a bowl 12000 inaccordance with this disclosure. The bowl 12000 shown has asubstantially hemispherical bowl head 12010 that extends vertically andradially from a substantially cylindrical bowl stalk 12020, as discussedabove with respect to the first embodiment. The bowl 12010 is thenprovided with an interior space 12030 defined by an inner surface 12040.The bowl head further has a hollow central pipe 12050 located centrallywithin the bowl head 12010 and forming a portion of the inner surface12040. The hollow central pipe typically extends below the bowl head12010 and through the bowl stalk 12020. The stalk 12020 thereby enclosesan extension of the central pipe 12050 for transmitting smoke from theinterior space 12030.

Embedded in inner surface 12040 of the bowl head 12010 are a pluralityof vertical extensions 12060, each of which are arranged radially aboutthe hollow central pipe 12050. These vertical extensions 12060 aregenerally similar to and may have characteristics parallel to thevertical extensions 4050 discussed above with respect to otherembodiments. Accordingly, the vertical extensions 12060 may each beformed from a heat conductive material.

As discussed above, with respect to other embodiments, each verticalextension 12060 may have a horizontal section with a bulging profile. Assuch, when viewed from above, the profile of each vertical extension12060 bulges towards an adjacent vertical extension such that thesmokable substance, when inserted, is gripped between the verticalextension bulges of adjacent vertical extensions.

In some embodiments, the hollow central pipe 12050 protrudes into theinterior space 12030 of the bowl head 12010. Accordingly, a top of thehollow central pipe may define a first plane 12070. In such embodiments,a top 12080 of at least a subset of the vertical extensions 12060extends above the first plane 12070, such that a heat source having asubstantially planar lower surface rested on top of the verticalextensions would be suspended above the hollow central pipe 12050 andwould not contact the hollow central pipe.

While the present invention has been described at some length and withsome particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, itis not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars orembodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed withreferences to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possibleinterpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore,to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention.Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in terms ofembodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling descriptionwas available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of theinvention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalentsthereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hookah bowl insert for evenly heating asmokable substance, the insert comprising: a central core having atleast one passageway extending therethrough; a plurality of radialextensions extending in a radial direction from the central core forgripping the smokable substance therebetween, each radial extensioncomprising a vertical extension extending in a direction perpendicularto the radial direction; wherein the insert is formed from a heatconductive material, and wherein each vertical extension has a thicknesslarger than a thickness of the insert at the central core.
 2. The insertof claim 1, wherein the central core is substantially planar, and theradial extensions are sloped relative to a first plane of the centralcore, such that the radial extensions extend to a second plane differentthan the first plane, and wherein the vertical extensions extend fromthe second plane to the first plane.
 3. The insert of claim 2, wherein atop of the vertical extensions extends above the first plane, such thata heat source having a planar lower surface rested on top of thevertical extensions would be suspended above the central core and wouldnot contact the central core.
 4. The insert of claim 2, furthercomprising a connection segment circumferentially surrounding a planarsegment of the central core and sloping from the first plane to thesecond plane.
 5. The insert of claim 4, further comprising at least onefixation element for fixing the connection segment to an interiorsurface of a hookah bowl.
 6. The insert of claim 5 wherein the at leastone fixation element is a plurality of protrusions for bracing theinsert against a protruding pipe opening of the hookah bowl.
 7. Theinsert of claim 1, wherein the central core is configured to be locatedabove a pipe opening in a hookah bowl, such that the at least onepassageway extending therethrough is aligned with the pipe opening. 8.The insert of claim 1, wherein each of the vertical extensions has ahorizontal section with a bulging profile, such that the profile of eachvertical extension bulges towards an adjacent vertical extension of anadjacent radial extension such that the smokable substance, wheninserted, is gripped between the vertical extension bulges of adjacentvertical extensions.
 9. The insert of claim 1, wherein the insert isformed from a single piece.
 10. A hookah bowl assembly for evenlyheating a smokable substance, the hookah bowl assembly comprising: abowl head comprising: an interior space defined by an inner surface; ahollow central pipe; and a stalk below the central pipe, the stalkenclosing an extension of the central pipe for transmitting smoke fromthe interior space; a bowl insert comprising: a central core having atleast one passageway extending therethrough; a plurality of radialextensions extending in a radial direction from the central core forgripping the smokable substance therebetween, each radial extensioncomprising a vertical extension extending in a direction perpendicularto the radial direction; wherein the insert is formed from a heatconductive material, and wherein each vertical extension has a thicknesslarger than a thickness of the insert at the central core.
 11. Theassembly of claim 10, wherein the central core is substantially planar,and the radial extensions are sloped relative to a first plane of thecentral core, such that the radial extensions extend to a second planedifferent than the first plane, and wherein the vertical extensionsextend from the second plane to the first plane.
 12. The assembly ofclaim 11, wherein a top of the vertical extensions extends above thefirst plane, such that a heat source having a planar lower surfacerested on top of the vertical extensions would be suspended above thecentral core and would not contact the central core.
 13. The assembly ofclaim 11, further comprising a connection segment circumferentiallysurrounding the central core and sloping from the first plane to thesecond plane.
 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the hollow centralpipe protrudes into the interior space of the bowl head, and the insertfurther comprises a plurality of protrusions for bracing the insertagainst the protruding hollow pipe.
 15. The assembly of claim 10,wherein the central core is configured to be located above the hollowcentral pipe when inserted into the bowl head, such that the at leastone passageway extending therethrough is aligned with the hollow centralpipe.
 16. The assembly of claim 10, wherein each of the verticalextensions has a horizontal section with a bulging profile, such thatthe profile of each vertical extension bulges towards an adjacentvertical extension of an adjacent radial extension such that thesmokable substance, when inserted, is gripped between the verticalextension bulges of adjacent vertical extensions.
 17. The assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the insert is permanently fixed to the inner surfaceof the bowl head.
 18. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the insert isformed from a single piece.
 19. A hookah bowl assembly for evenlyheating a smokable substance, the hookah bowl assembly comprising: abowl head comprising: an interior space defined by an inner surface; ahollow central pipe; and a stalk below the central pipe, the stalkenclosing an extension of the central pipe for transmitting smoke fromthe interior space; a plurality of vertical extensions extending fromthe inner surface, the vertical extensions arranged radially about thehollow central pipe, wherein each vertical extension is formed from aheat conductive material.
 20. The hookah bowl assembly of claim 19,wherein each of the vertical extensions has a horizontal section with abulging profile, such that the profile of each vertical extension bulgestowards an adjacent vertical extension such that the smokable substance,when inserted, is gripped between the vertical extension bulges ofadjacent vertical extensions.
 21. The hookah bowl assembly of claim 19,wherein the hollow central pipe protrudes into the interior space of thebowl head, and a top of the hollow central pipe defines a first plane,and wherein a top of at least a subset of the plurality of the verticalextensions extends above the first plane, such that a heat source havinga substantially planar lower surface rested on top of the verticalextensions would be suspended above the hollow central pipe and wouldnot contact the hollow central pipe.